Geofencing used to push electoral registration

Interesting use of ‘geofencing’ technology to send text messages to students as part of the Electoral Commission’s electoral registration campaign:

The Electoral Commission is working with the country’s biggest mobile networks to target 18 to 24-year-olds with a “geo-fencing system”, which sets a virtual barrier around a certain area, such a campus.

Students will receive a text on their smartphone once they step inside the geo-tagged location, which uses GPS to define the virtual area. The message will ask them to register to vote. A link to the Electoral Commission’s voter registration page will be included in the text, taking advantage of people now being able to use their handsets to register to vote.